Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-24
2001-05-22
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier associated with vehicle roof or trunk lid
C114S361000, C224S315000, C224S486000, C296S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234371
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to a luggage box to be attached to or in part inserted into a motor vehicle roof, a recreational vehicle roof, or a trailer roof for the stowing or storage of luggage, sports equipment and/or camping gear or the like which cannot be stored in the interior or in the trunk of the vehicle. Various such containers are known, for example from the German printed patent document DE-O-3,910,952 and from the German printed patent document DE 3,935,944. These containers are dimensioned such that they can accommodate at least two pairs of skis, wherein the outer shape of these containers is preferably at the same time designed to be aerodynamic. In addition, it is known to use the depth of the bottom shell of such boxes in the region between the support posts of the roof rack for the storing of additional luggage items, for example of ski boots.
In order to lower the manufacturing costs, it is known to employ shells which are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis as well as relative to a transverse axis. It is further known to employ the shells of such luggage boxes for other purposes, such as for example as parts of a catamaran (DE-)-3,920,951) or, by lifting one of the shells as a sleep bunk or cot or, respectively, as a boat (DE-O-2,539,093).
It is known from the German printed patent document DE 2,048,462 A that, in case of a luggage box, the boat which serves as cover grips with its edge over the laterally projecting circumferential edge of the bottom shell in order to prevent a penetration of rain water into the interior of the box.
All these multiple uses of the shells of the luggage box are accompanied by the disadvantage that the content has to be stored in a different way for the entire duration of the alternative use of the shells, which can lead to inconveniences during the use of the (overloaded) vehicle or, respectively, of the tent and/or of the trailer. These inconveniences often last for the larger part of the holidays, with the exception of the times for the journey there and the journey back and the possible intermediate trips including the complete equipment.
It is the object of the invention to provide for a luggage box of the initially recited kind, wherein the outer cover shell of the luggage box consists of a boat, wherein the (alternative) use of the boat does not require the repacking or restacking of the contents such that the contents remains protected against dust, rain and wind and is secured against theft, wherein the motor vehicle can also be used without mounting or placement of this outer cover shell. In addition, it is the object of the invention to provide for separate compartments with separate access openings for often-used objects and devices, (for example ladder, stool as climbing aid) for the loading and unloading of the luggage box or, respectively, for the mounting or demounting of the boat and/or for the erection of the tent, etc.
This object is solved according to the invention in that a rather flat bottom shell is provided with a possibly enlarged support edge for the boat and with an upwardly projecting collar having a hollow groove for the purpose of attaching a tarpaulin or an inner (stiff) covering shell, wherein access to the luggage is possible through openings with zipper closure or sliding covers or, respectively, hinged panels and/or opening areas between the tarpaulin or the cover shell and the upwardly projecting collar of the bottom shell. In the case of a stiff, inner, sealed covering shell, this cover can preferably be swiveled upwardly in that hinge mountings are provided at one of the longitudinal edges.
The boat is also hinge-like attached at one of the longitudinal edges and can be swivelled upwardly and detached while mounting elements are provided at the other edge, wherein hooks or corresponding snap-in elements, provided at the edge of the bottom shell of the luggage box, engage into said mounting elements. These hooks or snap-in elements are preferably of the kind which automatically snap in upon closing the outer cover shell (boat), while a lever is provided for the unlocking, wherein the therewith mechanically connected hooks are actuated with a cable pull in that the force of a tension spring is overcome. This lever is preferably provided with a lock or is disposed at the rear side of the lower separate storage space below the flap or hinged cover provided with a closure, wherein the separate storage space is provided in the rear region of the bottom shell and is suitable for the storage of often used accessories or of devices which facilitate the access to the luggage, for example ladder, boat accessories, camping accessories, tools, etc. The bottom shell of the luggage box according to the invention is substantially stiffened and reinforced by the upwardly projecting collar for the attachment of the tarpaulin or of the inner covering shell; an additional stiffening and reinforcement is possibly provided by two longitudinal hollow spaces, wherein mounting elements with their actuation mechanisms are disposed on one side of said hollow spaces while the possible hinge elements for the inner covering shell and/or for the outer cover shell, usable as boat, are provided on the opposite side.
These hinge elements can be of various kinds and comprise preferably a part, anchored at the edge of the bottom shell of the luggage box, while the second part is anchored at the corresponding edge of the boat or is also connected to the bottom shell and is insertable into the edge of the boat. It is conceivable that similar hinges as used for side walls at loading surfaces of trucks are employed, wherein the pin cones are attached at the bottom shell and the band, which is demountable at a specific angle, is attached at the edge of the boat. In the case of a hinge connection with a pivoting axis, disposed at the inside relative to the edge of the boat, the employment of hinges, as employed mainly in the furniture field, is advantageous.
The boat can of course have different shapes and the mounting elements and/or the hinge parts can simultaneously be used as attachment elements for accessories if used as a boat. The invention provides in addition that the inner stiff covering shell is provided at the outer surface with mountings or holders and/or recesses for the storing of accessories and/or of equipment objects for sports or tourism. The boat can be provided with a drive motor and with possibly foldable accessories in case of a corresponding formation of the inner covering shell or cover tarpaulin, wherein the drive motor and foldable accessories find space between the intermediate chamber between the inner covering shell or cover tarpaulin and the boat, in order to offer the user a boat which is ready for use and is already equipped with accessories, possibly including a drive motor.
The boat exhibits preferably a suitable cross-section such that the boat can serve as a container when it is not attached to the bottom shell; in this case the bottom shell can be employed as a container cover.
According to the invention, the inner covering shell can be hinged at the bottom shell to be laterally folded and swung open and can be locked in the closed state. In this case, the boat, placed in an inverted position over the cover shell, is attached at the cover shell and can be swivelled open together with the cover shell. In this case, the attachment elements between the cover shell and the boat are only accessible in the swung-open position. It is advantageous to provide for buckles in the front and in the back between the bottom shell and the boat, wherein the buckles can engage both at the outside at the edge of the boat and also at the outer edge of the shell in order to additionally secure the closure position of the outer shell or, respectively, of the boat.
A cover shell with a rather flat, low form can be offered in particular for the use of a luggage box, for example in the winter and without boat. This cover shell can exhibit attachment elements at the outside which allow to securely at
Eloshway Niki M.
Kasper Horst M.
Shoap Allan N.
Sinnova SRL
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